The state House overwhelming gave its approval Monday to a bill that would dramatically change the rules for towns and cities that want to expand their boundaries without the consent of property owners.
With members of anti-annexation groups packing the chamber's gallery, the legislators voted 106-10 in favor of an overhaul of the 1959 law governing involuntary annexations.
The new bill would allow property owners to block an involuntary annexation if 60 percent of them sign a petition to oppose the action in roughly a four-month period. If enough owners do oppose it, the town or city could not seek an involuntary annexation again for three years.
Landowners also could receive water and sewer service hookups free if enough people request them within about two months. The measure seeks to give residents inareas about to be annexed a more direct method of challenging a municipality's annexation plans.
Anti-annexation advocates have sought changes for years, in particular the right to vote in an election to determine whether an annexation can proceed. In previous sessions, lawmakers declined to support such an idea.
The bill, which still must be approved by the Senate and signed by the governor to become law, also addresses voluntary annexation with language making it easier for people in low-income areas to be absorbed into municipalities and receive services.
The N.C. League of Muni cipalities, which represents towns and cities, is opposed to the changes. Many credit the state's current involuntary annexation rules with spurring the growth of the state's cities and expanding their tax bases, giving the state a high percentage of municipalities able to maintain superior AAA bond ratings.
However, the league didn't actively oppose the House bill because the alternative could be a statewide annexation moratorium already approved by the Senate.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
